It was an unusually early start for the team at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre (BREC) last week as they opened the doors for a special Eurovision viewing party which had a strong local connection.
BREC marketing coordinator, Ashley Doodkorte, is the drummer for the Perth-based band Voyager which had been selected to represent Australia in the world’s biggest music competition in Liverpool in the UK.
The live broadcast on SBS TV went to air at 3am local time in Western Australia, and despite the early hour, around 100 loyal fans turned out to watch Voyager compete in both the semi-final and grand final events, ultimately finishing in ninth place following the country jury and public votes.
Voyager’s participation in Eurovision received support through the WA Government’s Contemporary Music Fund and the Commonwealth’s International Cultural Diplomacy Arts Fund. Tourism WA also provided support for the band’s official music video Promise.
BREC executive director Fiona de Garis told local media it was great to be able to celebrate local success on the global stage.
“It’s really such a big achievement and it’s so great for not only Voyager but for Western Australian music and even Australian music in the eyes of the world.
“You see the commentary online and you realise people really are talking about that, and waking up to what Australia has to offer musically beyond what they’ve seen in the Eurovision context previously.”
Image: BREC
